Page data last changed: . Registry refreshes and identity assessments are separate from scientific content review.
Amphibian peptide that defined the bombesin receptor family.
Part of the Neuropeptides & signaling cluster
Overview
Bombesin is a 14-amino-acid peptide first isolated from amphibian skin that gave its name to a family of mammalian receptors. It is widely used as a research tool in appetite and receptor-biology studies.
Source & context
Biological / chemical source: Originally isolated from frog (Bombina) skin
Primary research or clinical context: Neuroscience and receptor-imaging research
Receptor family it defined
Bombesin is the prototype for a receptor class whose mammalian members include the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor. Because these receptors are studied in tumor imaging, bombesin analogs appear frequently in radiopharmaceutical research literature.
Research-tool status
Bombesin is chiefly used as an experimental probe rather than a therapeutic. This page presents its receptor pharmacology for education and does not describe any human use.
Sequence of the selected reference form
Sequence backbone for the reference form: Bombina bombina bombesin(1-14), N-terminal L-pyroglutamate and C-terminal Met amide. Termini, stereochemistry and modifications are described below.
XQRLGNQWAVGHLM
X positions L-pyroglutamate (5-oxoproline), cyclized from N-terminal glutamine. X marks a noncanonical residue; see the expanded sequence and reference chemistry below.
Analyze sequences in the playground →Structure & chemistry
Molecular identity & reference confidence
Source-supported reference
Bombesin is the frog peptide; select the explicitly reviewed Bombina bombina 14-residue structure rather than a human gastrin-releasing peptide homolog. Both legacy CIDs independently have the same InChIKey and defined stereochemistry. The PubChem graph confirms both blocked termini.
- Molecular form
- Bombina bombina bombesin(1-14), N-terminal L-pyroglutamate and C-terminal Met amide
- Species
- Bombina bombina
- Termini (N / C)
- Blocked L-pyroglutamate lactam nitrogen / L-methionine carboxamide (-CONH2)
Average reference mass · Molecular identity assessment: 2026-10-05
Reference policy updated: 2026-10-05
L-pGlu-Gln-Arg-Leu-Gly-Asn-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-NH2
- Molecular formula
- C71H110N24O18S
- Average reference mass
- ≈ 1,619.9
- Backbone
- Bombina bombina bombesin(1-14), N-terminal L-pyroglutamate and C-terminal Met amide
- C-terminus
- L-methionine carboxamide (-CONH2)
- PubChem CID: 16201612
Chemistry values: curated profile, PubChem.
Clinical development snapshot
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 31 registered studies with “Bombesin” as an intervention (snapshot 2026-10-01). A registry footprint is not evidence of efficacy or approval.
| NCT | Title | Phase | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT06379217 | NEPC Study: An Exploratory Safety and Efficacy Study With PSMA, SSTR2 and GRPR Targeted Radioligand Therapy in | Phase 1 | active not recruiting | 2026-09-22 |
| NCT07828678 | PET/CT Imaging of GRPR Expression in Various Tumors | Early phase 1 | not yet recruiting | 2026-09-18 |
| NCT05870579 | [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in Combination With Ribociclib and Fulvestrant in Participants With ER+, HER2- and GRPR+ Advanc | Phase 1 | active not recruiting | 2026-09-11 |
| NCT06247995 | A Phase I/II, Dose Finding and Optimization Study of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in Combination With Capecitabine in Patien | Phase 2 | active not recruiting | 2026-09-11 |
| NCT05889728 | Pilot Trial to Assess 68Ga Bombesin PET/CT (NeoB) Imaging for Staging of Breast Cancer | Phase 2 | completed | 2026-08-19 |
| NCT03872778 | [177Lu]-NeoB in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors and With [68Ga]-neoB Lesion Uptake | Phase 2 | completed | 2026-07-28 |
Bombesin — reconstitution calculator
Enter how much peptide is in the vial and how much diluent (e.g. bacteriostatic water) is added. The tool returns the resulting solution concentration — and, for any amount you type, the volume it corresponds to. This is educational arithmetic, not a dosing recommendation.
Reference form: Bombina bombina bombesin(1-14), N-terminal L-pyroglutamate and C-terminal Met amideAverage reference mass: 1,619.9 Da
Enter an amount to see the volume it corresponds to.
Educational concentration mathematics only. This tool does not recommend a dose, amount, or protocol, and nothing here is medical advice. Many peptides are not authorized by Health Canada for human use — see our reconstitution and bacteriostatic-water guides for context.
Change log
Dated observations from the data pipeline (registry flags, trial footprints, identifiers) and editorial reviews of this profile.
- Trials1 registered study added on ClinicalTrials.gov (now 31).
FAQ about Bombesin
What is Bombesin?+
Bombesin is a 14-amino-acid peptide first isolated from amphibian skin that gave its name to a family of mammalian receptors. It is widely used as a research tool in appetite and receptor-biology studies.
What Canadian product status is recorded for Bombesin?+
Canadian product status for Bombesin has not been verified in this profile. No verified record here does not mean no authorization exists. Status depends on the product, formulation and use; consult Health Canada's product records.
What is the length of the selected reference form for Bombesin?+
The selected reference form (Bombina bombina bombesin(1-14), N-terminal L-pyroglutamate and C-terminal Met amide) has 14 residues or residue-derived units in its backbone. Other forms in this family may have a different length.
Related peptides
References & further reading
- 1.Martinez et al. (2000). Bombesin and the brain-gut axis. Peptides
- 2.Yamada et al. (2002). Bombesin and its family of peptides: prospects for the treatment of obesity. Eur J Pharmacol
- 3.Cowan et al. (1985). Effects of bombesin on behavior. Life Sci
- 4.Tache et al. (1985). Central nervous system action of bombesin to inhibit gastric acid secretion. Life Sci
- 5.Liehr et al. (1990). Direct vs. indirect effects of bombesin on pancreatic growth. Digestion
- 6.Hirooka et al. (2021). The gastrin-releasing peptide/bombesin system revisited by a reverse-evolutionary study considering Xenopus. Sci Rep
- 7.Zhang et al. (2014). Bombesin facilitates GABAergic transmission and depresses epileptiform activity in the entorhinal cortex. Hippocampus
- 8.Ashour et al. (2006). Bombesin inhibits alveolarization and promotes pulmonary fibrosis in newborn mice. Am J Respir Crit Care Med
- 9.PubChem — compound summary for Bombesin (CID 16201612)
- 10.Wikipedia — Bombesin